The UAE has paid close attention to this growing concern, and has worked diligently to take all the necessary steps to rationalise our water usage for both irrigation and drinking purposes. We have taken critical steps towards finding alternative ways of compensating for our growing lack of water in the country, specifically through means of desalination and sewage treatment for the purpose of irrigation. The UAE’s ongoing efforts to provide millions around the world with clean water falls in line with the wise words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said, “Water in our land is a great blessing, and our ancestors knew its precious value because they were deprived of it. We are also well aware of its value because a considerable portion of our financial resources are allocated to provide water. We have to thank God for this blessing by preserving it and helping those who are in need around the world.”
In June 2014, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the UAE Water Aid initiative to provide clean water to approximately five million people worldwide. Suqia, the UAE Water Aid campaign, was launched in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority and has raised AED 180 million in 18 days to provide clean drinking water to seven million people across the world. On 3 February 2015, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law Number 3 of 2015, establishing the UAE Water Aid Foundation as a non-profit organisation. The foundation is part of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
The foundation aims to promote the UAE's position globally and participate in initiatives and humanitarian aid to improve the living conditions of the poor and affected communities in various countries, as well as help achieve sustainable development for all mankind by supporting international communities and providing clean water solutions, conducting research and studies to support the production of clean water using solar energy, forging international partnerships, and achieving the major goal of providing clean drinking water. The Suqia initiative is unique because it focuses on research and development, and makes use of solar energy to desalinate sea water in cooperation with universities and other research and development centres. The initiative has been allocated USD 1 million towards the success of the project.
Based on the decree by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the board of trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation was formed. The board is chaired by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and includes a representative from each of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, Emirates Red Crescent, UAE University, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, and two representatives from DEWA as members. The tenure of the trustees is for three years with the possibility of extension. Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi was assigned as Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Aid Foundation. Since its establishment, the Foundation has become a distinguished organisation that provides humanitarian aid to the needy and distressed around the world.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer has noted that the UAE Water Aid Foundation provides clean water to the needy, conducts studies and research to support the treatment of water using solar power, contributes to financing and supporting water-technology projects to combat drought, and supervises a million-dollar annual award for research on the development of new technologies and mechanisms for treating water using solar power.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives
In October 2015, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched one of the largest development and community foundations in the Middle East region – the “Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.” The new foundation consolidates the work of 28 organisations focusing on fighting poverty and illness; spreading knowledge and culture; empowering the community; and driving innovation. All combined, the foundation’s initiatives will implement 1,400 human development programs in 116 countries around the world.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives will target 130 million people over the coming years, focusing its programmes on the Arab world. It will also launch the largest and most comprehensive development programme in region, focusing on human development in an integrated manner starting with providing basic human needs from health, fighting illiteracy and poverty through to providing knowledge, the dissemination of culture and the development of education. It will work in parallel on developing a new generation of young Arab leaders, supporting governance in the region, and providing the largest incubator for Arab innovators, scientists and researchers.
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